Placita Los Girasoles Fruteria & Nursery and Fresh Roasted Corn

A placita, or little plaza, is a fortified central patio or courtyard found in buildings all over the world, but especially Spanish style ones in Mexico and the Southwest U.S.

Placita Los Girasoles (15970 SW 177 Avenue), of sunflowers, is a fruit and produce market and nursery in the Redlands area of Miami. We drove past it on a glowing November Sunday, clocked the roasted corn sign, and turned back, cause how often do you see that.

Owner Vidalia Gaytan says the placita has been at its current location for "como seis años," or about six years, but spent 12 years further down the road. She is from Veracruz, Mexico and the market's stock in chiles, tomatillos, tamarind, turnips, and beans reflects both her background and the growing Central and South American populations in Dade. They grow their own guayaba, yuca, platanos, and ciruela on the 5 or so acres they rent and are moving witht the seasons to tomatoes, onions, and green pepper.

Vidalia's nephew David Gaytan lives close by and helps out. He says, "The houses are taking over all the lands, there's gonna be no more farmers." Vidalia agrees, "It's better how it was before," she says.

Here are some picture from Placita Los Girasoles.

Sign on Krome Ave in the Redlands.

Manuel roasts and serves the corn. Price - $2

Fresh off the grill. Didn't get a shot of the condiments, but they had butter, mayo, salt, chili powder, parmesan, and bottled hot sauce.

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